Mahakala: Kakamukha (Raven/Crow-faced) Page

Mahakala Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Masterworks
- Chaturbhuja Mahakala
- Winged Deities
- Confusions: Black Garuda, Black Khyung
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Video: Crow-faced Mahakala

Variations:
- Central Figure
- Retinue Figure
- With Wings
- Without Wings
- With a Consort
- Without a Consort
- Others...

The Raven-faced, or crow-faced, Kakamukha Mahakala originated from the Chaturbhuja Mahakala tradition of Nagarjuna and primarily coming down through the lineage of Ga Lotsawa. Kakamukha is primarily a retinue figure in the surrounding mandala of Chaturbhuja Mahakala. Kakamukha is also very easy to be confused with the Black Garuda of the Rechung system or a Black Khyung of the Bon religion.

Jeff Watt 3-2017 [updated 8-2017, 4-2024]

Mahakala (Buddhist Protector)
Kakamukha (Raven-faced)